CHAPTER 21-A. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

§781. Department of Veterans Affairs, state of Louisiana; creation; domicile; composition; purposes and functions

A. The Department of Veterans Affairs is created and shall be a body corporate with the power to sue and be sued. The domicile of the department shall be in Baton Rouge.

B. The Department of Veterans' Affairs, through its offices and officers, shall be responsible for and shall perform the functions of the state relating to the welfare of veterans, including the functions of the veterans service offices throughout the state, the agent orange directory, and the operation of healthcare facilities for war veterans, as provided by law.

C.(1) The Department of Veterans Affairs shall be composed of the executive office of the secretary and the office of management and finance, and such other offices as shall be created by law.

(2) The Veterans' Affairs Commission may establish the organization of the department, subject to the provisions of this Chapter, in accordance with the authority of such commission as provided by law, including R.S. 29:254.

(3) Whenever the Veterans' Affairs Commission determines that the administration of the functions of the department may be more efficiently performed by eliminating, merging, or consolidating existing offices or establishing new offices, the commission shall present a plan therefor to the legislature for its approval by statute.

Acts 2003, No. 1088, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 392, §2, eff. June 23, 2004.

NOTE: See Acts 2003, No. 1088, §2 relative to intent of legislature concerning creation of Dept. of Veterans Affairs and §4 making such creation effective when Acts 2001, No. 451, becomes effective (merger of Dept. of Elections and Registration with Dept. of State), that is January 12, 2004.